Mayor Nelda Martinez urges input on plan for BP settlement money

CORPUS CHRISTI - Mayor Nelda Martinez has scheduled a meeting to hear ideas on how to spend the anticipated windfall produced by the Deepwater Horizon lawsuit settlement.

The meeting is scheduled from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Del Mar College Center for Economic Development, 3209 South Staples St.

The total payout by BP PLC and other responsible parties is unknown, but fines and settlement payments total more than $6 billion so far, Martinez wrote in a news release. The trial is ongoing in New Orleans to determine additional penalties under the Clean Water Act.

Congress has called for public input through the RESTORE Act to decide how best to allocate funding for Gulf-related projects. Funds must be used to restore and protect natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, coastal wetlands, and the economy of the Gulf Coast region.

Projects could include water quality enhancements, habitat creation, protection or restoration, public infrastructure, tourism promotion and other projects along the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

The Mayor extends this invitation to participate to residents, elected officials, community organizations, neighborhood associations, businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, scientists, sportsmen, students, teachers, and interested stakeholders.